Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2007-02-14

1. MEETING:
      The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. PETITION:
      The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) presented petition No. 52 from 22 petitioners requesting that closed circuit television monitoring be implemented in Todd Mall and adjacent areas, Alice Springs. (Paper 786)
      Petition read.

4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Business Round Table, input to the Territory: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) reported on the Business Round Table discussions which contribute to the economic, employment and social infrastructure of the Territory.
      Ms Carney responded.
      Ms Martin replied.
      Low Cost Housing for Communities: The Minister for Housing (Mr McAdam) reported on innovative, low cost and durable housing options for remote communities.
      Dr Lim responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr McAdam replied.
      Childcare Subsidies and Places in the Territory: The Minister for Family and Community Services (Ms Lawrie) reported on the childcare policy of the Commonwealth which cause a shortage of childcare places in the Territory especially in regional areas.
      Dr Lim responded.
      Mrs Braham responded.
      Ms Lawrie replied.

      Long Service Leave entitlements, threat by Workchoices Legislation: The Minister for Public Employment (Mr Henderson) reported on the Commonwealth Workchoices legislation provision which removes Long Service Leave entitlements to Territory Workers.
      Paper tabled: Mr Henderson laid on the Table the following Paper -
Memorandum of Advice, Australian Workplace Agreements under the Workplace Relations Act (CTH) and Long Service Leave, dated 1 February 2007 by Tom Pauling QC (Paper 787).

      Mrs Miller responded.
      Mr Wood responded.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

5. WORK HEALTH AMENDMENT BILL 2006 (Serial 85):
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time -
      Debate resumed.
      Paper tabled: The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Henderson) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Guide to Cross Border Worker's Compensation Provisions by NTWorkSafe (Paper 788).

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.
      Bill read a second time.
      Leave granted for a motion for the third reading of the Bill to be moved forthwith.
      On the motion of the Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Henderson) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
6. TREASURER’S MID-YEAR REPORT 2006/2007 – PAPER NOTED:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question - That the Assembly take note of the Report -
      Debate resumed.
      Extension of Time: On the motion of the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Natt) the Treasurer (Mr Stirling) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.
7. CHALLENGES FOR THE TERRITORY IN 2007, DELIVERING THE TERRITORY LIFESTYLE - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question - That the Assembly take note of the Statement -
      Debate resumed.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Minister for Health (Dr Burns) the Minister for Family and Community Services (Ms Lawrie) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
      Debate continued.
      Debate suspended.
      ______________

      Suspension of sitting: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.04pm and 2pm.
      ______________
8. NOTICES:
      The following notice was given -
      Mr Henderson: To move - That the Assembly:
              1. Note with concern that the Commonwealth WorkChoices legislation has taken away from Territorians a statutory right to long service leave.

              2. Call upon the Federal Government to immediately re-instate the right of all Territory workers to Long Service Leave entitlements.

              3. Through the office of the Speaker, forward the terms of this motion and associated debate to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Commonwealth Parliament.

              4. Express its ongoing concern at the Howard Government’s Workchoices legislation which is unfair and is particularly detrimental for Territory working families and young workers.


9. QUESTIONS:
      2.01pm Dr Lim to Dr Burns.
      2.03pm Mr Bonson to Ms Martin.
      2.05pm Dr Lim to Dr Burns.
      2.09pm Mr Burke to Ms Lawrie.
      2.12pm Dr Lim to Dr Burns.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Northern Territory Nursing Workload Review 2005 - Nursing in Western Australia, by Di Mantell (Paper 789).

      2.14pm Mr Warren to Mr Natt.
      2.16pm Mr Wood to Mr McAdam.
      2.20pm Dr Lim to Dr Burns.
      2.23pm Ms Sacilotto to Ms Martin.
      2.27pm Dr Lim to Dr Burns and referred to Mr Henderson.
      2.31pm Mr Knight to Mr Stirling.
      2.33pm Mrs Braham to Ms Lawrie.
      2.38pm Ms McCarthy to Mr Henderson.
      2.42pm Dr Lim to Dr Burns.
      2.47pm Mr Bonson to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.50pm Dr Lim to Dr Burns.
      2.57pm Ms Anderson to Dr Burns.
      3.02pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns and referred to Ms Lawrie.
      3.05pm Mr Kiely to Mr Henderson.

      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.

10. CHALLENGES FOR THE TERRITORY IN 2007, DELIVERING THE TERRITORY LIFESTYLE - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question - That the Assembly take note of the Statement -
      Debate resumed.
      Question - put and passed.

11. TACKLING THE MISUSE AND ABUSE OF ALCOHOL IN THE TERRITORY - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
      The Minister for Health (Dr Burns) made a statement relating to alcohol abuse and misuse in the Territory.
      Dr Burns moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Minister for Family and Community Services (Ms Lawrie) the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Scrymgour) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
      Debate continued.
      On the motion of the Minister for Housing (Mr McAdam) debate was adjourned.

12. PRIDE AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE - THE TERRITORY'S ABORIGINAL VISUAL ARTS AND CRAFT INDUSTRY AND NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE INQUIRY INTO ABORIGINAL VISUAL ARTS AND CRAFTS SECTOR - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Minister for Arts and Museums (Ms Scrymgour) made a statement relating to the Territory Aboriginal visual arts and craft industry and the Territory submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Aboriginal Arts Industry.
      Ms Scrymgour moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
13. ADJOURNMENT:
      The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
      And the Assembly adjourned at 8.52pm until tomorrow at 10am.
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      PAPERS:
      The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 14 February 2007 -

      Annual Report:
      Surveyors Board of the Northern Territory of Australia, 2005/2006 (Paper 793)

      Regulations 2007:
      No. 1, Territory Wildlife Amendment (Infringement Notices) (Paper 790)
      No. 2, Building Amendment (Exemption from Inspection) (Paper 791)
      No. 3, Biological Resources (Paper 792)
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      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016